Disruption of the structural integrity of cartilage is the major histological finding in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Type II collagen is the major organic constituent of cartilage. Fragments of type II collagen (CTX-II) are being released into circulation and subsequently secreted into urine following degradation of cartilage.

In urine, the CTX-II fragments can be quantified by Urine CartiLaps® (CTX-II) EIA. The Urine CartiLaps® (CTX-II) EIA has been reported to be useful in prediction of the progression of osteoarthritis (Reijman et al.2, Garnero et al1), and in other clinical (Rotterud3) and pre-clinical investigations.